About Us

The Alameda County Arts Commission is dedicated to improving the quality of life in Alameda County by nurturing a thriving environment for the arts and for cultural activities; promoting economic opportunities for Alameda County’s artists and arts organizations through programs such as arts grants, public art, and art in education programs; encouraging public participation in the arts and actively advocating for the arts.

History

The Alameda County Arts Commission (ACAC) is a division of County of Alameda. This civic organization was established in 1965 by ordinance of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors. The Arts Commission acts in an advisory capacity to the Board of Supervisors concerning the arts and cultural environment in the County. The cities and communities of Alameda County include Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Castro Valley, Dublin, Emeryville, Fremont, Hayward, Livermore, Newark, Oakland, Piedmont, Pleasanton, San Leandro, San Lorenzo, Union City, and other unincorporated areas.

The Arts Commission is comprised of fifteen community members (three from each of the five districts of Alameda County) appointed by the Board of Supervisors and seven ex-officio members representing three major County departments and four leading Alameda County educational and cultural institutions.

The Alameda County Arts Commission supports all art forms such as music, dance, visual arts, literature, theater, film and video, traditional crafts and folk arts, and new media.

ACAC By-Laws

Alameda County Public Art Ordinance

Mission

Leadership

Arts Commissioners

The Arts Commission is comprised of fifteen community members (three from each of the five districts of Alameda County) appointed by the Board of Supervisors. There are additional appointee positions for ex-officio members representing major County departments and leading Alameda County educational and cultural institutions.

Appointed Commissioners

Representing Alameda County Board of Supervisors, District 1
Sawsan Jari Wolski
Margaret Thornberry

Representing Alameda County Board of Supervisors, District 2
Mina Mangewala
Theresa Navarro

Representing Alameda County Board of Supervisors, District 3
Andrea Guskin
Theresa Rude
Jody Sahota

Representing Alameda County Board of Supervisors, District 4
Cathy O’Dea
Winda Shimizu
Usha Shukla

Representing Alameda County Board of Supervisors, District 5
Sharmi Basu
Megan Fister
Tonaka Kendrick

Ex-Officio Members

Eileen Dalton
Director of the Alameda County Economic and Civic Development Department, Designee Representing Sandra Rivera, Director of the Alameda County Community Development Agency

Jennifer Chan
Chief Deputy of the Alameda County General Services Agency, Designee Representing Kimberly Gassaway, Director of the Alameda County General Services Agency Director

Public Art Advisory Committee

Andrew Appleton
Elin Christopherson
Brian Laczko
Scott Miner
Molly Ness
Tawnia Quick
Mimi Sullivan
Mark Yin

Alameda County Arts Commission Staff

Rachel Osajima
Director

Violet Harlo
Program Coordinator

Amy Stimmel
Public Art Program Coordinator

Rosa Valdez
Public Art Program Coordinator

Meeting Calendar and Agendas

Following are the Alameda County Arts Commission’s Regular Public Meetings and Links to the Meeting Agendas.

All meetings are open to the public.
Please see the meeting calendar (link below) to confirm if meeting will be held or if it is canceled.
The calendar link also includes the meeting agenda.

Regular Meetings of the Alameda County Arts Commission

are held on the second Wednesday of each month from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Alameda County Public Art Advisory Committee Meetings

are held on the fourth Thursday of each month from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m.

Alameda County Arts Commission Executive Committee Meetings

are held on the second Wednesday of each month from 3:30 to 4:00 p.m.

> Click here for Meeting Calendar.

The annual ARTSFUND Grant Panel Review meeting and other meetings can also be found on the Meeting Calendar.
For additional more information, please email or call 510-208-9646

Arts Commission Logos

Alameda County Arts Commission logos are downloadable. They are provided for official partners.

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The Office of the Arts Commission is proud to be a division of the County’s Auditor-Controller/Clerk-Recorder Agency led by elected official Melissa Wilk. The support and leadership provided by Melissa Wilk is critical to the work of the Arts Commission.

Alameda County Clerk-Recorder Seal